hellstrom



March 17, 1964 D. R. HELLSTROM REVOLVER GATE 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed March 16, 1961 III/II/IA FIA'IIII INVENTOR DOUGLAS R. HELLSTROM March 17, 1964 D. R. HELLSTROM REVOLVER GATE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16, 1961 158 INVENTOR DOUGLAS R HELLS'TROM United States Patent 3,124,889 REVOLVER GATE Douglas R. Hellstrom, Wellesley Hills, Mass., assiguor to Smith and Wesson, Inc, Springfield, Mass, 2: corporation of Massachusetts Filed Mar. 16, I961, tier. No. 96,278 8 Claims. (Cl. 4259) This invention relates to firearms of the revolver type. More particularly, this invention provides an improved revolver which can etliciently use not only full size cartridges but also cartridges of smaller diameter. The revolver can be unloaded and reloaded rapidly and efiiciently with cartridges of various sizes. Thus a versatile and adaptable firearm is provided.

Heretofore, it has been known to employ sub-caliber ammunition in revolver firearms. That is, the cylinder of a revolver has chambers formed therein to receive cartridge cases of a certain size. For some purposes, it has been desired to use a smaller cartridge case having a smaller propellant charge for the same caliber bullet in the same revolver. Also, it has been desired to adapt a large caliber revolver to accommodate sub-caliber or smaller caliber ammunition. Tubular sleeves or adapters have been used around the smaller cartridge case to take up the space between the smaller cartridge case and the surface of the chamber so as to center firmly the smaller cartridge case in the chamber. Sub-barrels have also been used to reduce the bore of the barrel where subcaliber ammunition is used.

Revolvers have heretofore been constructed with various types of means for ejecting spent cartridge cases from the cylinder after firing. In one prior construction, a swingable gate has been pivoted in the frame behind the cylinder. When closed, the gate closes the space behind a portion of the cylinder. When the gate is opened, the space behind one chamber is open so that spent cartridge cases can be unloaded and a fresh cartridge loaded into the chamber. For removing the spent cartridge case, an ejector rod is mounted beside the barrel and in line with the space usually closed by the gate. The ejector rod is held forward by a spring but can be pushed back in order to eject a spent cartridge. When the gate is opened, the ejector rod is pushed back to push the spent cartridge case out of the casing through the opening made by the gate.

The present invention resides in the concept of a revolver gate or gate assembly that can efficiently use either full size cartridge cases or smaller cartridge cases. The gate is constructed so as to either (1) open the entire space behind the cylinder chamber or (2) open only the smaller portion of the space back of the smaller cartridge case, while holding the adapter or sleeve in position in the chamber. The revolver can thus efficiently use various sizes of cartridge cases.

When full size ammunition is used in the revolver of the invention, the gate can be operated to open the area behind the cylinder so that the full size cartridge case can be ejected and a full size fresh cartridge loaded into the chamber.

011 the other hand, when a smaller cartridge case is used, and the chamber contains a smaller cartridge with a tubular sleeve surrounding it, the gate provides a smaller opening behind the smaller cartridge case for permitting ejection of the spent smaller cartridge case and loading of a fresh cartridge. However, the gate holds the sleeve in the chamber, so that replacement of the sleeve into the chamber during reloading is unnecessary.

For a better understanding of the invention and its other objects, advantages and details, reference is now made to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention which are shown, for purposes of illustration only, in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a revolver employing a gate according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the revolver shown in FIGURE 1, with parts shown in dotted lines;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the cylinder of the revolver shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 with the chambers containing full-size long-range cartridges;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the chambers containing the smaller cartridge assemblies including adapters surrounding the smaller cartridges;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view along the line 55 of FIGURE 2 and showing the three positions of the gate in full and dashed lines;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 of a different embodiment of a gate according to the invention wherein the gate has a hole formed therein of the diameter of the smaller cartridge case;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 'of another embodiment of a gate according to the invention comprising two gate leaves, one leaf having a hole formed therein of diameter to receive the smaller cartridge case, the other leaf having no hole; and,

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 of another embodiment of a gate according to the invention including a main gate having a hole therein of diameter to receive the smaller cartridge case and having an auxiliary gate pivotally mounted on the main gate.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 1 to 5 includes a revolver having the conventional barrel 2%, frame 22, hammer 24, hand grip 26, trigger 23, trigger guard 3%, cylinder 32 rotatably positioned in frame 22, and a base pin 34 extending adjacent barrel 24 The cylinder 32 has a plurality of chambers or charge holes 36 formed therein of generally tubular shape. For maintaining the cartridges in the chambers 3d, the frame 22 has a pair of wings or ears 38 extending outwardly from opposite sides thereof. These wings, together with the center portion of the frame 22 form a recoil plate for preventing the undesired ejection of the cartridge or cartridge case. One wing 3% of the frame is cut away or recessed to form an opening 44) for the loading of the cartridges and the unloading of the cartridge cases.

Referring to FIGURE 3, the chambers 36 are charged with full size cartridges 42 having cases 44- with a maximum outer diameter substantially filling the rear end 46 of the chambers These larger cartridges 42 are employed where long range and heavy propulsion of the bullet 48 are desired. Each cartridge 42 has a rim 49 received in a groove in the chamber.

It will be seen that each chamber 36 has an enlarged rear portion 46, a diminished front portion 50 and a frusto-conical middle portion 52. As seen in FIGURES 2 and 4, the same cartridge chambers 36 can be readily adapted to employ smaller cartridges 54 including cartridge cases 56 and bullets 58 having the same caliber as bullets 4%. These cartridges 54 are used where a lower propellant charge is desired.

To center the cartridges 54 within the chamber 36, a generally tubular sleeve 60 is employed having a thickened rear end 62, a tapering front portion 64, a cylindrical bore 66, and a flange 68 received in a groove in the chamber 36. The flange limits the movement of the sleeve or adapter 60 into the chamber 36.

For controlling the loading and unloading of the chambers 36, a gate 70 is provided, as seen in FIG- URES 1, 2 and 5. The gate 70 includes an arm 72 pivoted around a pin 74 extending perpendicularly from the lower end of arm '72 and rotatably supported in frame 22. The enlarged closure end '76 of the gate '76 closes the entire opening 40 when the gate is in the position shown in full lines and cross-hatched in FIGURE 5. In this position, the pawl 78 is received in notch 80 in the flange 82 formed at the lower end of arm 72. A spring 84 is received in a hole formed in frame 22 and surrounds a spindle 86. The spring 34 presses the pawl 78 releasably into one of the notches 8t 99 or 92 formed in the flange 82.

When the larger size cartridges 42 of FIGURE 3 are used, and it is desired to eject the spent cartridge cases 44, the arm 7 t) is swung or pivoted to the position where notch 92 receives pawl 78. In this position, the entire opening 40 is unobstructed and the ejector rod 1% is pulled rearwardly by the shooter or operator pulling on finger member 192, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. The ejector rod 1% passes backwardly through chamber 36 and encounters the bottom of cartridge case 42 and pushes the spent cartridge case outwardly through opening 40. Thereafter the ejector rod is pushed forwardly by a spring (not shown). This position is also used for ejecting both the cartridge 54 and sleeve 6d of FIGURE 4.

When the cartridge assembly shown in FIGURE 4 is employed, and it is desired to eject a spent cartridge case 56 without ejecting the sleeve 60, the gate '70 is pivoted to the position where pawl '78 engages notch 90. As seen in FIGURE 5, at this position, the gate closure end 76 leaves the area of the smaller cartridge case unobstructed but abuts and obstructs a portion of the sleeve 62. At this time, the ejector rod 1% is moved rearwardly by pulling on the finger member 102.

The ejector rod we encounters the bottom of the cartridge case 56 and ejects it through the smaller opening provided when the pawl 73 engages notch 90. The sleeve 60 is retained in the chamber 36 by the closure end '76.

The embodiment shown in FIGURE 6 includes the same elements having the same reference numerals. This embodiment differs in the construction of the gate including a flange 112 having a pin 114 rotatably supported in the frame 22. The pawl 73 engages one of two notches 116 and 118 formed in the gate flange 112. The closure end 120 of the gate Illtl has a circular hole 122 formed therein of diameter to just pass the smaller cartridge case 56. Thus, when the cartridge assembly shown in FIGURE 4 is employed, the cartridge case 56 will be ejected by the ejector rod Tilt) without removing the sleeve or adapter 60. When it is desired to remove the sleeve 60 as well as the smaller cartridge 54, or when it is desired to use the larger cartridge cases 44, the gate 116 is swung to the position where pawl 78 engages notch 118 so as to leave the entire opening 40 unobstructed.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 is similar to that shown in FIGURE 6 and like elements have like reference numerals. This embodiment includes two independently pivotable gate leaves and 132. The gate leaf 130 is identical to the gate 110 of FIGURE 6 and has a hole 134. This embodiment includes the additional gate leaf 132 for closing the smaller hole 134 to prevent undesired ejection or falling out of the smaller cartridge case 56. The gate leaf 132 is movable between two posi tions where pawl 78 engages either notch or notch 142. In the position shown in FIGURE 7, the hole 134 is uncovered to permit ejection of smaller cartridge case 56.

The embodiment shown in FIGURE 8 includes elements having the same reference characters as similar elements in the previous embodiments. The main gate has a flange 152 and is integral with a pin 154 rotatably supported in frame 22. A main pawl 78 is received in either one of two notches 156 or 158 in the gate flange 152. The closure end 164 of the main gate 156 is connected by arm 162 to the pin 154-. The closure end has a hole 164 formed therein of diameter to just pass the smaller cartridge case 56. An auxiliary gate 174) is pivotally mounted on pin 172 received in the arm 162. The auxiliary gate 17% swings in a cutaway por- 5 tion 174 of the main gate 150. An auxiliary pawl 176 is pressed, by a spring 178 seated in an opening formed in arm 162, into one of two notches 189 or 182 formed in the edge of auxiliary gate 170. When the auxiliary pawl 176 is pressed into notch 182, the smaller cartridge cases 56 of FIGURE 4 can be ejected through the hole 164 while the sleeves 69 are held in the chambers. In order to close the hole 164, the auxiliary gate is pivoted to the position where auxiliary pawl 176 is pressed into notch 180.

When it is desired to employ the large size cartridges of FIGURE 3, or when it is desired to eject the sleeve 6%) of FIGURE 4, the main gate 154) is swung until the main pawl '78 enters the notch 158. Then, the entire opening 40 is unobstructed so that the desired ejection can occur.

Thus, it will be seen that the invention provides a revolver gate that is readily adaptable to provide for the controlled loading and unloading of various sizes of cartridges or of sub-caliber ammunition.

While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that the invention can be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a revolver firearm having a rotatable cylinder with chambers formed therein, said chambers being adapted to receive either full size cartridge cases or smaller cartridge case assemblies including tubular sleeves surrounding smaller cartridge cases, a recoil plate behind said cylinder, said recoil plate being cut away to form an opening, a gate swingably mounted to be swingable to a position to close said opening; the improvement which comprises said gate being movable to three positions, one position where said gate closes said entire opening, a second position where said gate leaves the area of the smaller cartridge case unobstructed but obstructs the tubular sleeve so as to hold the sleeve in the chamber, and a third position where the entire opening is unob- 45 structed to permit loading and unloading of full size cartridge cases or the entire smaller cartridge case assernblies, and means for holding said gate selectively at each of said three positions.

2. In a revolver firearm having a rotatable cylinder 5 with chambers formed therein, said chambers being adapted to receive either full size cartridge cases or smaller cartridge case assemblies including tubular sleeves surrounding smaller cartridge cases, a recoil plate behind said cylinder, said plate being cut away to form an opening, a gate swingably mounted to be swingable to a position to close said opening; the improvement which comprises said gate having a hole formed therein of diameter to just pass the smaller cartridge case, means for yieldably holding said gate in either of two positions, one position where said gate obstructs all of said opening except the area of said small cartridge case, and another position where the opening is entirely unobstructed.

3. In a revolver firearm having a rotatable cylinder with chambers formed therein, said chambers being adapted to receive either full size cartridge cases or smaller cartridge case assemblies including tubular sleeves surrounding smaller cartridge cases, a plate behind said cylinder, said plate being cut away to form an opening, a gate swingably mounted to be swingable to a position to close said opening; the improvement wherein said gate includes a pair of gate leaves, a first gate leaf having an opening formed therein of diameter just to pass said smaller cartridge case, a second gate leaf being constructed to obstruct the entire opening, each gate leaf being independently movable to one of two positions, the first gate leaf being movable between a position where it closes all of said opening except the area of said smaller cartridge case and another position where the entire opening is unobstructed, the second gate leaf being movable between two positions, one position where the entire opening is obstructed and another position where the entire opening is unobstructed.

4. In a revolver firearm having a rotatable cylinder with chambers formed therein, said chambers being adapted to receive either full size cartridge cases or smaller cartridge case assemblies including tubular sleeves surrounding smaller cartridge cases, a plate behind said cylinder, said plate being cut away to form an opening, a gate swingably mounted to be swingable to close said opening; the improvement wherein said gate includes a main gate and an auxiliary gate, said main gate being movable between two positions, said main gate having an opening formed therein to just pass the smaller cartridge case, said auxiliary gate being pivotally mounted on said main gate and being movable to a position to close said last-named opening for said smaller cartridge case.

5. A revolver firearm having a rotatable cylinder with chambers formed therein, said chambers being adapted to receive either full-size cartridge cases or smaller cartridge case assemblies including tubular sleeves surrounding smaller cartridge cases; a recoil plate behind said cylinder, said recoil plate being cut away to form an opening; a swingably mounted gate; means for holding said gate at a position where it provides an opening having the size of the full cross-sectional area of a chamber; and means for holding said gate at a position where it provides an opening for the insertion and removal of the smaller cartridge cases but obstructs the tubular sleeve so as to hold the sleeve in the chamber.

6. For use in a revolver behind a cylinder having chambers formed therein, said chambers being adapted to receive either full-size cartridge cases or smaller cartridge case assemblies including tubular sleeves surrounding smaller cartridge cases; a gate assembly comprising a gate; means for holding said gate at a first position where said gate provides an opening behind a chamber, said opening covering at least the full cross-sectional area of the chamber; means for holding said gate at a second position where said gate provides, behind a chamber, an opening of cross sectional area of a smaller cartridge case for the insertion and removal thereof, but obstructs the tubular sleeve so as to hold the sleeve in the chamber; and, means for holding said gate at a third position where said gate closes the entire opening behind the chamber.

7. A revolver firearm having a rotatable cylinder with chambers formed therein, said chambers being adapted to selectively and mutually-exclusively receive full-size cartridge cases and smaller cartridge case assemblies including tubular sleeves surrounding smaller cartridge cases; a recoil plate behind said cylinder, said plate being cut away to form an opening; a gate swingably mounted on said revolver and swingable to a position to close said opening; means for selectively holding said gate in position entirely closing said opening; means for selectively holding said gate at a position providing an opening behind a chamber for the insertion and Withdrawal of the fullsize cartridge cases; and means for selectively holding said gate at a position to provide an opening for insertion and Withdrawal of smaller cartridge cases while holding the tubular sleeves in the chambers.

8. In a revolver firearm having a frame; a cylinder rotatably received in said frame, said cylinder having chambers formed therein, said chambers being adapted to receive either full-size cartridge cases or smaller cartridge case assemblies including tubular sleeves surrounding smaller cartridge cases, a recoil plate behind said cylinder, said recoil plate being cut away to form an opening, a gate swingably mounted to be swingable to a position to close said opening; the improvement which comprises means for holding said gate selectively at three positions, said holding means including said gate having three notches formed therein, and including a pawl movably received in said frame, said pawl being pressed yieldably selectively into any of said notches, whereby said gate is movable to said three positions, one position where said gate closes said entire opening, a second position where said gate leaves the area of the smaller cartridge case unobstructed but obstructs the tubular sleeve so as to hold the sleeve in the chamber, and a third position Where the entire opening is unobstructed to permit loading and unloading of full-size cartridge cases or the entire smaller cartridge case assemblies.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 158,957 Mason W Jan. 19, 1875 183,389 Freund Oct. 17, 1876 187,975 Hulbert Mar. 6, 1877 565,692 Richardson Aug. 11, 1896 946,351 Haeghen Jan. 11, 1910 FOREIGN PATENTS 316,732 Great Britain Aug. 8, 1929 

5. A REVOLVER FIREARM HAVING A ROTATABLE CYLINDER WITH CHAMBERS FORMED THEREIN, SAID CHAMBERS BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE EITHER FULL-SIZE CARTRIDGE CASES OR SMALLER CARTRIDGE CASE ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING TUBULAR SLEEVES SURROUNDING SMALLER CARTRIDGE CASES; A RECOIL PLATE BEHIND SAID CYLINDER, SAID RECOIL PLATE BEING CUT AWAY TO FORM AN OPENING; A SWINGABLY MOUNTED GATE; MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID GATE AT A POSITION WHERE IT PROVIDES AN OPENING HAVING THE SIZE OF THE FULL CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF A CHAMBER; AND MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID GATE AT A POSITION WHERE IT PROVIDES AN OPENING FOR THE INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF THE SMALLER CARTRIDGE CASES BUT OBSTRUCTS THE TUBULAR SLEEVE SO AS TO HOLD THE SLEEVE IN THE CHAMBER. 